If you are considering using a therapy method post-workout, you might be wondering – which one is best? Although you have heard of various therapy techniques and recovery methods, such as ice baths, heat therapy, percussion massage tools, compression apparatuses, and cupping sets, then you might be wondering which one is best for your specific soreness, muscles, and needs.
Why would an ice bath be better than heat therapy? By reading about the effectiveness of each type of therapy method, you can see which one works best for your specific needs, your workout, and your sport. Some people may prefer to use an ice bath after a soccer game, whereas others who have a special spot of soreness or injury may prefer using a game-ready ice machine.
Those who are sore across a certain spot of their body may want to use a percussion massager, whereas others who have a very sore back after a swimming competition may find the cupping is better for their needs. Let’s read more about these two popular therapy modalities and which one could be better post-workout and why!
Percussion massage vs cupping – which one is best for me and my sport?
First off – what is a percussion massager and why should I use one? A percussion massager is a hand-held piece of equipment that can be easily used by yourself for another skilled individual who knows how to help certain areas of your body. Percussion massager therapy is a new type of tool that can be used in the fitness world, athletic training centers, and physical therapy locations. Reach out to Source Ortho if you’re looking for a percussion massager to buy online.
This machine is in charge of using short and sharp “blow” to the speed areas of the body using the percussion massager to help release built-up soreness, knots, and tension that can accrue after doing repetitive motions for prolonged periods. Furthermore, if you find that you are sore due to an intense weightlifting session or hit after the game, the percussion massager can help bring blood back to reduce inflammation and speed up recovery.
- The main benefits of using a percussion massager included the lessening of inflammation or swelling, moving the fluid in the circulatory system, preventing delayed onset muscle soreness, breaking up scar tissue, and relieving tension from the muscles.
The second therapy method that you may consider using is a cupping set – but what is this? Cupping is a type of therapy method that is typically used in Eastern societies and the Chinese healthcare industry – but has traveled elsewhere due to its efficiency in helping with blood flow and inflammation in your body. The cupping sets improve circulation in the area where the heated cups are placed on your body. If certain areas of your body are sore, using the cupping set on the muscles and the surrounding area helps relieve built-up stress, tension, soreness, and increases repair for quicker regeneration and recovery.
- Using a cupping set has been shown to help with numerous types of diseases and illnesses, such as skin issues like psoriasis or digestive issues. Cupping also helps with chronic acne, acne scars, facial paralysis, herniation, dyspnea, and shingles.
- There are different types of cupping sets that you can use – typically, we recommend using only an experienced professional with this method since it will be too hard to learn about and do on your own. Cupping is usually made up of ceramic cups that are heated and applied to the skin. When the cups cool off after the hot flame, they bring the skin inside and create a vacuum-type seal.
- The first type of cupping is dry cupping which uses just suction.
- The second type of cupping is wet cupping that uses controlled bleeding to help with inflammation.
Conclusion
So which one should you use for a post-workout recovery session? Both of these therapy modalities have different pros and cons of using them – and different specialties. If you don’t suffer from a high degree of tension and inflammation, using the cupping set can be helpful to restore blood flow to specific parts of your body, such as your neck or back. If you have a specific area of muscle soreness, such as tightness in the quads or legs, then using a percussion massage is an easy and fast way to relieve tension and knots.
